Should You Use Aloe Vera For Kidney Stones?

When you are shopping for sunscreen at the store, you often find something right next to it: aloe vera gel. We know that sunscreen is supposed to prevent the burn. But when the burn comes anyway, we turn to aloe for healing.

Or maybe you used it when you were growing up. You’d get a cut or burn and your mom would pull off a part of the aloe plant to rub on it for speedy recovery.

So most of us have clearly seen how aloe is a fabulous skin healer. But few of us actually realize just how powerful aloe really is – for many body systems.

But can aloe actually go so far as to help kidney stones?

Many different health and wellness blogs list aloe vera as a key to treating and/or preventing kidney stones. But is that idea based only on old traditions or is modern science backing up the claim?

I’m here to unpack the aloe vera and kidney stone connection. I want you to benefit from as many natural kidney stone healers as possible, so let’s see if you should add aloe to that list.

What Is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is actually a cactus – and it just so happens to be one of the most incredible medicinal plants. It produces a gel and latex that are both used therapeutically.

Scientists have found over 75 components of aloe that can be used – from vitamins and minerals to acids and enzymes. This is why aloe vera is so powerful. It can be used to:

Improve burns

Reduces inflammation

Relieve constipation and other digestive issues

Aid in weight loss

Help skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, or even diaper rash

Lower cholesterol

Improve asthma

Remove hemorrhoids

Moisturize skin and hair

Health canker sores

Boosts immunity

Harms bacteria and fungi

And much more

It’s even been used in experimental treatments for HIV/AIDS and cancer.

So with its vast array of uses, can aloe vera actually help kidney stone sufferers? Let’s see.

Each participant took 100 g of fresh aloe gel twice daily for one week. The researchers took urine samples at various points throughout the week to measure different chemicals that affect kidney stones like calcium, uric acid, citrate, oxalate, tartrate, potassium, and more.

The results were really positive.

Oxalate had “significantly decreased” in the participants. Remember that calcium-oxalate stones are the most common form of kidney stone. This and other chemical changes when taking the aloe led the researchers to conclude that taking aloe “shows its potential for preventing kidney stone formation among adults.

This is great news for kidney stone sufferers, but it is not complete news. There needs to be more studies done to confirm its effectiveness.

How To Take Aloe Vera For Kidney Stones

I know anyone who deals with chronic kidney stones wants to find help in any possible way. So many of you may want to try aloe vera even science isn’t 100% sure that it works.

So which form should you take?

Aloe Juice: Livestrong recommends ¼ cup of aloe juice daily for no longer than two consecutive weeks. You can buy aloe juice at most health food stores. It may also help you reduce inflammation and improve digestion.

Aloe Gel: If you want to replicated the study and consume straight aloe gel, it is best to do so under the supervision of your doctor; they can suggest the right amount for you as well as where to buy it in your area

Many aloe vera products sold at stores are not created for ingestion. They were created for putting on your skin. Make sure to double check before taking any aloe vera supplement internally.

Can Aloe Vera Be Dangerous?

For the most part, aloe is considered to be a safe all-natural medical choice. So if you give it a try to see if it improves your kidney stones, there aren’t many downsides to be worried about.

But there are still a few precautions to keep in mind. If any of these apply to you, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting aloe vera:

Oral aloe may not be safe while you are pregnant

Aloe is considered generally safe applied to children’s skin, but may not be safe when taken orally

Diabetics can benefit from aloe, but there are a few risks

Aloe latex should not be taken if you have any sort of intestinal illness like Crohn’s disease or colitis

Aloe latex worsens hemorrhoids

Inform your surgeon if you are taking aloe vera; doctors often ask patients to stop taking the aloe up to two weeks before an operation

And one last warning: overdosing on aloe latex can lead to kidney problems, even kidney failure. Never take more than recommended – especially if you are trying to limit your kidney problems.

Other All-Natural Alternatives For Kidney Stone Treatment

Since there are not many different studies looking at the way aloe vera could help kidney stones, you may not want to rely on it fully. Instead, try using it in conjunction with other all-natural ways to help prevent and treat kidney stones.

This includes:

1. Chanca Piedra

Chanca piedra is an herb that has been shown to both treat and prevent kidney stones. It does everything from helping to prevent stone-forming substances from joining together to relaxing the ureters so the stone can pass less painfully.

You can easily take this in pill-form to provide the support your kidneys need.

2. Magnesium

It’s been shown that those with lower magnesium levels have a higher risk of developing kidney stones. This is a real problem when you consider somewhere around 80% of people have a magnesium deficiency.

This is a really easy fix.

Eat more magnesium rich foods that are not too high in oxalate (bananas, dairy, broccoli, corn, avocadoes, and fish).

Take a magnesium supplement. The forms magnesium glycinate or magnesium chelate are really easy for the body to digest and absorb.

3. Celery Seed Extract

Note: Those with kidney disease may not be able to take celery seed, so talk to your doctor first.

Aloe Vera and Your Kidneys

Aloe vera may indeed give you a little kidney support, but at this time, it’s not wise to rely on it solely. Instead, incorporate aloe very into you life alongside the other three all-natural treatments above.

Then don’t forget about the important lifestyle changes that should be made to keep the kidney stones away:

Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Eu Natural products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or health care professional.